INTERVENTION 2POWER & THE CORRECT USE OF SPACE

By Tess & Mel

Street Corner Intervention

How we felt…

Felt invisible mostly – many people didn’t seem to mind – bashed my umbrella – became part of the space?

Thought if here at night people might think I was a prostitute or drug dealer – gender implications?

Because it was raining standing still you felt cold – had the urge to get inside quickly or keep moving

Family pulled young child away from me – increases self consciousness

Interaction with cars stopped at the lights – don’t normally engage with traffic and drivers for that long

Felt jealous of people indoors and under bus shelter

Other Thoughts…

Because of rain many people kept moving – to be still felt out of place

Didn’t look that weird as Selly Oak on the main the road is used for a meeting place anyway.

Being in touch with the elements made us less focused on how we felt in a social context.

Walking Backwards Intervention

Tess

Mel

Tess…

Concentrated on walking – balance became an issue – noticed uneven pavement more.

Felt odd facing those behind me – shared eye line – felt needed to justify my actions.

Uni Centre Square – no real path – could have bumped into anyone

Couldn’t walk backwards down the stairs – felt too dangerous

Felt completely dependent on Mel (wrong person to trust!)

Had no independence so Mel had all the power in directing me.

Consequently I fell over…

Mel…

Let Tess fall over as forgot she was walking backwards – engaging in conversation as normal – both usually “glide” over campus

Had some smirks when walking backwards but most people didn’t mind – as was on campus did people expect intervention was taking place?

Backs of calves felt odd after a while – using muscles not used to – compare to Tess who was trained to run backwards

Didn’t get given a flyer – looked odd? When crossing the road – didn’t go on red light

even though clear as wasn’t confident – would have risked it if was walking normally.

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